Swimming-pool wall panel trussstructures



March 29, 1966 s-n 3,242,624

SWIMMING-POOL WALL PANEL TRUSS-STRUGTURES Original Filed April 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR: K U RT L. ST l ER March 29, 1966 K. STIER 3,242,624

SWIMMING-POOL WALL PANEL TRUSS-STRUCTURES' Original Filed April 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: KURT L. STIER :604. rin

ATT'YS United States Patent 3,242,624 SWIMMING-POOL WALL PANEL TRUSS- STRUCTURES Kurt L. Stier, 500 Baldwin Road, Palatine, Ill. Continuation of application Ser. No. 105,100, Apr. 24, 1961. This application Mar. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 453,857 7 Claims. (Cl. 52-169) This application is a continuation of my co-pending application Serial No. 105,100 filed April 24, 1961 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to Swinning Pool constructions and particularly to prefabricated truss structures for the interlocking positioning of side-wall panel structures for swimming-pool construction.

The main objects of this invention are to provide improved prefabricated sectional truss-structures for on-thejob assembly and interlocking connection with side-Wall panel structures to construct a panel-type swimming pool of pre-determined dimensions and perimetrical contour; to provide a prefabricated sectional truss-structure of this kind especially adapted for use with a particular type of panel structure; to provide improved interlocking means for securing the proper transverse relationship of the truss and panel structures to insure the requisite positioning of the panel structures for defining the side walls of the pool; and to provide an improved side-wall panel-positioning truss-structure assembly of such simple design as to make very economical the manufacture thereof and make very facile the on-the-job assembly and positioning of the truss structure sections and locking the side-wall panel structures thereto for fixed vertical and horizontal disposition preparatory to pouring the concrete for the base boundation and the surrounding pool collar or walk.

Varied specific embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical, sectional view of a portion of a swiming pool showing the use of a particular type of side-wall panel-structure with a prefabricated coping for the pool collar, as positioned in the excavation by a truss-structure assembly constructed and used in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a section of this improved truss structure for positioning the side-wall panels, as viewed from the plane of the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is an enlarged, fragmentary view showing a manner of securing together the abutting ends of sections of these panel-positioning truss structures;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, rear perspective view showing a wall panel with reinforcing ribs and the manner wherein such a panel and the improved truss structure are secured in transverse interlocking relationship for fixed vertical disposition of the side-wall panel structures in the pool excavation;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical, cross-sectional view of the ribbed panel of FIG. 3, interlocked with the improved truss structure and mounting a precast concrete bordering collar;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view showing more clearly the panel-truss structure interlocking arrangement indicated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on the plane of the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing a modified form of the panel-truss structure interlocking means;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, rear perspective view showin gthe modified panel-truss interlocking arrangement of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, rear perspective view of the interlocking element on the panel.

The essential concept of this invention involves prefabricated truss-structure sections variously pre-shaped in their respective planes for on-the-job, end-to-end assembly and horizontal positioning around an excavation to define a predetermined perimetrical contour of a swimming pool and, by an interlocking connection, fix the vertical disposition and the horizontal contour of preformed side-wall panel-structures in the excavation preparatory to pouring concrete for the base foundation of the pool, back-filling the space between the panels and the excavation wall, and installing the collar or walk around the top of the pool.

A swimming-pool contour-defining truss-structure assembly embodying the foregoing concept, comprises a plurality of sections 11 wherein an angle-bar 12 has a network of angulated rods 13 so bonded thereto that a plurality of sections 11, secured in end-to-end relationship for positioning around an excavation, by an interlocking connection 14 with a plurality of side-wall panelstructures 15 will fix their vertical disposition and horizontal contour in the pool excavation preparatory to pouring concrete for the base foundation of the swimming-pool.

As shown, each of the sections 11 has the network of angularly-arranged rods 13 bonded, at one series of apexes, to the edge of the horizontal flange 16, of the angle-bar 12, to dispose the network of rods 13 horizontally outwardly in the plane of the flange 16. At their other apexes these angularly-arranged rods 13 are bonded to a bordering member or rod 17. Thus, the other or vertical flange 18, of the angle bar 12, which provides the chord of the truss section 11, is disposed at right angles to the plane of the truss structure. This other flange 18 forms a part of the interlocking connection 14 with the side-wall panel-structures 15 presently to be described.

Short transverse angle bars 19 are bonded at the ends of the angle bar 12 and the bordering member or rod 17 of each truss section for securing the truss sections together in end-to-end relation so as to provide a continuous supporting frame or collar for the side wall panels of the pool. (See FIG. 2a.)

A selected number of these prefabricated truss-structure sections 11 are adapted for end-to-end assembly to predetermine the perimetrical contour of a swimming-pool. If such contour is other than strictly rectangular, certain, if not all, of the sections 11 are pre-shaped in some such way as is shown in FIG. 2. In that event the chord member or angle bar 12 of such section 11 is bent to the desired form before the network of angulated rods 13 are bonded to the angle bar 12 and the bordering rod 17 is bonded to the rods 13. The complete section 11 of FIG. 2 shows the network of rods 13 secured to an arcuate-shaped bar 12.

The several sections 11, which are to determine the pool perimetrical contour, are secured in end-to-end relationship by bolt and nut fasteners 20 extending transversely through the opposed flanges of the angle bars 19. Such an assembly of these several sections 11 is effected by laying them on the ground 22 defining the edge of the pool excavation and fastening them together end-to-end, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 2a, approximately as they are to determine the perimetrical contour of the completed pool.

When thus integrated, the truss-structure assembly would be resting substantially horizontally on the ground 22 defining the pool excavation with the series of angle bar chords 12 overhanging the edge of the excavation, as will be most apparent from FIGS. 1, 4 and 7. To insure horizontal panel-supporting stability of this trussstructure assembly, stakes 23 and 24 are driven into the ground 22 on opposite sides of the rods 17 at points along the lengths thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, it would be most practical to drive the stakes 23 inwardly against the apexes of alternate pairs of angulated rods 13 and the stakes 24 against the rods 17 adjacently outward of the apexes of intermediate pairs of the angulated rod 13.

The staked positioning of the truss-structure assembly disposes the angle bar flanges 18 depending vertically into the pool excavation to thereafter constitute a part of the interlocking connection 14 for fixing the horizontal disposition of the vertical side-Wall structure 15 preparatory to pouring concrete for the base foundation 26 of the pool.

Various types and/ or forms of panel structures 15 may be employed with this truss-structure assembly. A more or less preferred type of panel structure 15 is indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. This panel is a bendable premolded, fiberglass-reinforced structure made of a polyester-type plastic material. As herein shown, the panel structure 15 is formed with a fiat middle portion 27 and a lower extension portion 28 joined by an inwardly-facing concave portion 29.

In the panel-structure form 15, shown in FIG. 1, holes are formed around the upper perimeter of the panel structure. These register with comparable holes in the angle bar flanges 18 for the reception of screws 31 to effect the interlocking connection 14 for fixing the vertical disposition of the panel structures 15 in the pool excavation. In the panel structures 15 shown in the other figures some type of element 32 is arranged along the rear upper edges of the structures to form slots 33 for the seating of the angle bar flanges 18 to constitute the interlocking connection 14 for determining the fixed vertical disposition of the panel structures 15 in the pool excavation.

These elements 32 may be horizontally-spaced, vertically-disposed angle bars 34 (see FIGS. and 6) or they may be specially formed brackets 35 (see FIGS. 7, 8 and 9). The angle bars 34 are bonded to the panel structures 15, in an acceptable manner, to constitute panel bracing. The inner edges of the upper ends of these angle bars are cut away to form the slots 33 to seat the angle bar flanges 18. In FIGS. 4-6 these angle bars 34 are shown molded into the plastic that forms the panel structure 15. In FIGS. 7-9 the brackets 35 have oppositely-extending otfset parallel legs 36-36 one of which is suitably molded into the back of the panel structure 15 with the other leg 36' spaced from the back face of the panel to form the requisite slot 33 for seating the angle bar flange 18.

The truss-structure assembly having been staked in requisite position on the ground 22, the series of panel structures 15 are vertically positioned on the angle bars 12, by either of the above-described types of interlocking connections 14, and, where required, are, bent in the horizontal plane, on the job, to follow the desired pool contour as defined by the angle bars 12. Obviously, whatever form of panel structures 15 may be used they will have to be secured together along their abutting lateral edges. Also, these panels will require some suitable form of vertical support and horizontal staking at their lower ends as is the common practise in this art and as will be obvious to those experienced in building this type of swimming pool. The joints between successive truss-structures need not, however, coincide with the joints between successive panels. The vertical panel joints may be made in any suitable manner as will be understood by those skilled in this art.

After completing the formation of the base foundation, 26 various practices may be followed in filling in the After completing the formation of the base foundation 26, various practices may be followed in filling in the spaces back of the panel structures 15 preparatory to forming the bordering walk or collar for the pool. Generally, a back-fill 37 of earth or sand would be tamped in above the base foundation 26 and up level with the ground 22 on which the truss-structure assembly has been staked and then the collar and walk would be laid or poured. Or, as shown in FIG. 1, the concrete forming the bordering walk or collar may extend into the upper portion of this space between the ground 22 and the panel structure 15 and above the backfill 37.

Various forms of bordering walk or collar may be arranged to suit the desire of those having the pool installed. The drawings indicate two possibilities; the use of a prefabricated coping 38 and .a poured concrete collar 4i) integrally incorporating the coping (FIG. 1) or the setting of precast concrete blocks 39 (FIGS. 4 and 7).

The coping 38, shown in FIG. 1, is an extruded alu minum member having a rounded vertical profile facing toward the pool and a concave rear side to confine the freshly-poured concrete of the Walk or collar 40. The lower portion of this coping is shaped to fit over and be rigidly attached to the angle bar flange 18 by the bolt 31 and an internal rib 41 is provided to bear against the flange 18 to afford a rigid support for the coping until the concrete is poured. Lengths of this coping material 38 are shaped, lengthwise, on-the-job to conform with the contour of the pool and the various sections 11 which make up the truss-structure assembly, such, for example, as the sections shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1 the angle-bar-conforming coping members 38 are firmly anchored to the angle bars 12 by the screws 31. Thereupon concrete may be poured to constitute the desired bordering walk or collar with the members 38 determining the inwardly overhanging coping contour for the pool.

The precast concrete blocks 39, of FIGS. 4 and 7 would be overlaid on the truss-structure assembly and cemented in place, in a conventional manner, to provide an inwardly overhanging coping around the pool.

The main advantages of this invention reside in the novel truss arrangement whereby the wall panels of the pool-can be firmly supported horizontally to outline the contour of the pool, without the need for transverse scaffolding, as ordinarily employed, thus saving much of the labor and material cost of the pool construction; and in the fact that all of the structural elements involved can be shipped flat and with only the truss-structure needing factory shaping for the desired pool contour. Other advantages reside in the greatly increased strengthening of the upper wall portion of the pool, both during back-fill and concrete pouring operations and in the completed pool structure; in the novel and simple arrangement for attaching the wall panels to the truss-structure; and in the improved construction of the wall panels for effecting their attachment to the truss-structure.

Although several embodiments of this invention have been herein shown and described, it will be understood that details of the constructions and arrangements shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims:

1. A swimming pool construction disposed in an excavation in-the earth and comprising a plurality of prefabricated truss structures assembled end-to-end and mounted horizontally on the margin of the excavation in overhanging relation with the edge thereof to provide a continuous collar structure defining a predetermined perimetrical contour for the pool, each of said truss-structures comprising inner and outer chord members connected together by intervening elements having their opposite ends rigidly bonded to the respective chord members, a plurality of pre-fabricated wall panels disposed vertically in said excavation in side by side relation for defining the wall of the swimming pool, and means on the inner chords of the overhanging portions of the truss structures having interlocking connection with the upper ends of the said side wall panels to fix their disposition in the excavation and support them laterally therein preparatory to pouring concrete for the pool pottom and embedding the lower ends of the said panels therein.

2. The swimming pool construction defined by claim 1 wherein the inner chords of the truss structures are variously pre-shaped in the horizontal planes thereof to define the horizontal contour of the pool, the chord means having interlocking connection with the wall panels comprises a downwardly projecting flange on the overhanging portion of each truss structure, and the Side wall panel members each have means adjacent the upper end thereof connecting the panel to the said flange.

3. A swimming pool construction disposed in an excavation in the earth and comprising a plurality of sectional truss structures connected end-to-end and each of which comprises an angle bar having a horizontal flange rigidly bonded to a network of angulated members disposed in the plane of said flange, the said angle bars forming the inner chords of the respective truss structures and being variously pre-shaped in the planes of the respective angulated member networks and the truss-structures being assembled end-to-end on the margin of the excavation with the said angle bars overhanging the edge of the excavation to define a predetermined perimetrical contour of the swimming pool, the truss structure assembly being fixedly secured to the margin of the excavation and the other flange of each angle bar projecting downwardly from the overhanging inner chords of the said truss structure assembly, preformed side wall panel members secured together side by side in said excavation to form the side wall of the swimming pool, and a series of brackets on the rear face of each of the panel members and located along the upper edge thereof to provide upwardly opening slots, the said other flanges of the truss structure angle bars being seated in said bracket slots to fix the disposition of the panel members in the excavation.

4. A swimming pool construction comprising side walls and a poured masonry base foundation disposed in an eX- cavation in the earth, said side walls comprising a plurality of preformed panels supported laterally adjacent their upper edges by a plurality of joined truss structures extending substantially horizontally outward of the margin of said excavation; each of said truss structures having an outer member, an inner chord member formed of a bar having a flange extending vertically into said excavation, said outer and inner members extending substantially parallel with each other and defining a substantially hori zontal plane, a plurality of truss elements extending in an angulated manner between and in the plane of said inner and outer members with opposed ends of said truss elements being secured, respectively, to said inner and outer members, transverse bars connecting said inner chord member with said outer member and defining the ends of each of said truss structures, and securing means on said transverse bars joining said truss structures in an end-to-end relation; said joined truss structures being supported by the earth at ground level with the chord member portions of said truss structures extending inwardly of the margin of said excavation, said panels being connected to said inner chord flange, and said joined truss structures defining the horizontal contour of the swimming pool for positioning said panels.

5. A swimming pool construction as defined in claim 4 wherein said inner chord member comprises a horizontal flange extending toward said outer member, said truss elements being rigidly secured to said horizontal flange.

6. A swimming pool construction as defined in claim 4 including a plurality of ground penetrating means disposed beyond the margin of said excavation and in contact with said truss structures for preventing a horizontal displacement thereof.

7. A swimming pool construction as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said panels is provided along the upper edge thereof with a series of brackets, said brackets and the upper marginal portion of said panel defining up wardly opening slots receiving said vertically extending inner chord flange of a respective truss structure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,048,287 12/ 1912 Breil 61-41 2,021,074 11/ 1935 Maynes.

3,031,801 5/1962 Leuthesser 52169 X 3,106,045 10/ 1963 Rautio 52169 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

A. C. PERI-1AM, Assistant Examiner. 

4. A SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING SIDE WALLS AND A POURED MASONRY BASE FOUNDATION DISPOSED IN AN EXCAVATION IN THE EARTH, SAID SIDE WALLS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PREFORMED PANELS SUPPORTED LATERALLY ADJACENT THEIR UPPER EDGES BY A PLURALITY OF JOINED TRUSS STRUCTURES EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY OUTWARD OF THE MARGIN OF SAID EXCAVATION; EACH OF SAID TRUSS STRUCTURES HAVING AN OUTER MEMBER, AN INNER CHORD MEMBER FORMED OF A BAR HAVING A FLANGE EXTENDING VERTICALLY INTO SAID EXCAVATION, SAID OUTER AND INNER MEMBERS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WITH EACH OTHER AND DEFINING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE, A PLURALITY OF TRUSS ELEMENTS EXTENDING IN AN ANGULATED MANNER BETWEEN AND IN THE PLANE OF SAID INNER AND OUTER MEMBERS WITH OPPOSED ENDS OF SAID TRUSS ELEMENTS BEING SECURED, RESPECTIVELY, TO SAID INNER AND OUTER MEMBERS, TRANSVERSE BARS CONNECTING SAID INNER CHORD MEMBER WITH SAID OUTER MEMBER AND DEFINING THE ENDS OF EACH OF SAID TRUSS STRUCTURES, AND SECURING MEANS ON SAID TRANSVERSE BARS JOINING SAID TRUSS STRUCTURES IN AN END-TO-END RELATION; SAID JOINED TRUSS STRUCTURES BEING SUPPORTED BY THE EARTH AT GROUND LEVEL WITH THE CHORD MEMBER PORTIONS OF SAID TRUSS STRUCTURES EXTENDING INWARDLY OF THE MARGIN OF SAID EXCAVATION, SAID PANELS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID INNER CHORD FLANGES, AND SAID JOINED TRUSS STRUCTURES DEFINING THE HORIZONTAL CONTOUR OF THE SWIMMING POOL FOR POSITIONING SAID PANELS. 